Sump without baffles....

[Azurel]

What issues are there beside possiable micro bubbles getting to the DT......I need to upgrade to a bigger sump but kinda don't want the hassles of baffles. If I have the intake at one end and the skimmer right next to it, and the return pump at the other with a egg create filter contraption to hold media dividing the return from the rest of the sump. I could always add filter sock to catch ditritus from intering the sump as well.....What would be the biggest issue I could see with this plan? Let me know what you think....

 

[Stray32]

Though my setup isn't ideal, I haven't had any issues with microbubbles or excess detritus.

Mine is a 20 Gal Long with an EV-180 skimmer on the left side. The intake flows basically directly into my skimmer pump. In the middle I have a fluidized bed filter with PURA NitrateLock and a small pump connected to my Phosban Reactor (which hangs on the front). On the right side is my return pump and heater. No baffles, no filter socks. I have to admit, it's not the prettiest setup as everything kinda crammed in there, but again, I have had no issues to date.

 

[copester]

no issues for me either running my sump like that.

 

[roshi719]

Only issue I can see with it is that the water level the skimmer will be running in will fluctuate unless you are running an ATO

 

[Stray32]

Only issue I can see with it is that the water level the skimmer will be running in will fluctuate unless you are running an ATO

Very true. I do have an ATO hooked up to mine, forgot to mention it.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Only issue I can see with it is that the water level the skimmer will be running in will fluctuate unless you are running an ATO

Yea an ATO would be a must to keep skimmer happy.

I also use baffles in order to force water past heaters and cabron (more efficient than no baffles), etc. but they're by no means necessary.

 

[beaslbob]

I have a simply refug/sump that is all one container.

One of the problems is that the water level in the entire thing goes up and down. So as a result It normally is only about 1/2 or less full. Which severly limits the water volume for the refuge. Baffles would allow the refugium are to be full while the sump was only 1/2 full.

One way of doing the same thing as baffles is just to use smaller containers inside the sump. So that say a smaller container is the sump area, and the rest is the refugium area.

Just my .20

 

[Azurel]

Didn't even think of that thanks roshi.....Might just have to add a single baffle to seperate the return and sump..........This way the sump area would be realitivly stable, while the return fluctuates....Thanks I will have to hold off on changing it out today. What is that rubber trim that you can put on the edge of glass to help hold it up? Cause then I could change it out today and add them once I get the rubber seals......Glad I asked you guys or I would have been po'ed later wondering why my skimmer was acting up....

 

[Azurel]

I found what I was looking for...This stuff-
Marine/Outdoor EPDM rubber weather stripping this way I can pressure fit the baffles in and use some acrylic or glass and they can be moved around as I see fit.....

 

[EliteReefs]

to make mine removable i built little channels on the side walls that allowed me to just slide then in and out as i pleased. to make them water tight i simply attached airline tubing to the edges.

The above was in my old sump. in the current large sump i to not have any at all. i have an ATO so sump levels are not a concern

 

[Azurel]

I switched it out anyway I will have to keep an eye on the water level the next few days till I can get to HD or Lowes toget the weather striping. Seems to be no issue with micro bubbles so that is good....

I had to upgrade the volume of the sump cause I upgraded the skimmer from my Aqua-C remora to a Aqua Euro USA Classic 135 and never thought about it adding water volume to the system. So when the power goes out or I shut off the power it would over flow by about 2 1/2 gallons...I had a 10g sump and went to a 16g high so I don't have to worry about it now when I work and the wife is sleeping(I work thirds). It always seemed to go out while I was at work....